Basel NotesA local guide to Basel

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Basel guide · Where to stay

Where to stayin Basel.

Old Town, Kleinbasel, near the station or near the Messe: how to choose the right part of Basel for your trip.

For a first visit or a weekend, stay in the Old Town: the main sights are within walking distance. Choose Kleinbasel for summer evenings by the river, near Basel SBB for early trains, and near Messe Basel if you are in town for a fair.

The areas at a glance

AreaBest forKeep in mind
The Old TownA first visit · Exploring on foot · Weekends and short staysSteep, cobbled lanes with luggage · Livelier streets during Fasnacht and the markets
KleinbaselSummer by the river · Evenings out · Messe BaselBusier at night in summer · A bridge crossing to the Old Town sights
Near Basel SBBEarly trains · Day trips by rail · Short transit staysLess historic atmosphere · A tram ride or walk to the Old Town
Near Messe BaselFair and congress visitors · Art Basel weekQuieter outside fair dates · Further from the Old Town sights
01

Altstadt, Grossbasel

The Old Town

The historic centre on the left bank of the Rhine: Marktplatz, Spalenberg, the Münster and the lanes between them.

Spalentor, Basel’s medieval city gate, with its tiled roof and two round towers.
Spalentor

Good for

  • A first visit
  • Exploring on foot
  • Weekends and short stays

Consider

  • Steep, cobbled lanes with luggage
  • Livelier streets during Fasnacht and the markets
02

Right bank of the Rhine

Kleinbasel

Across the river from the Old Town, with the long riverside promenade, the Kaserne and many of the city’s bars.

The Rhine in Basel on a sunny day, with a small boat and the riverside promenade.
Summer on the Rhine

Good for

  • Summer by the river
  • Evenings out
  • Messe Basel

Consider

  • Busier at night in summer
  • A bridge crossing to the Old Town sights
03

Main railway station

Near Basel SBB

Around the main station, south of the centre, with direct rail connections and bus 50 to EuroAirport.

A blue platform sign “Gleis 1–35 Voie” under the historic roof of Basel SBB station, beside a waiting train.
Platforms at Basel SBB

Good for

  • Early trains
  • Day trips by rail
  • Short transit stays

Consider

  • Less historic atmosphere
  • A tram ride or walk to the Old Town
04

Messeplatz, Kleinbasel

Near Messe Basel

Around the exhibition centre, where Art Basel and the big fairs take place.

The round opening in the roof of Messe Basel framing the sky.
Messe Basel, home of Art Basel

Good for

  • Fair and congress visitors
  • Art Basel week

Consider

  • Quieter outside fair dates
  • Further from the Old Town sights

An editorial overview to help you choose an area, not a ranking of accommodation.

Our own place

Bright Studio,
in the Old Town.

We host Bright Studio, a ground-floor studio apartment for up to 3 guests in Basel Old Town. It has a 160 × 200 cm bed and a sofa bed, a kitchen, a washer/dryer and Wi-Fi.

No television and no air conditioning; a fan is provided. Check-in from 16:00, check-out by 12:00. Booked only through Airbnb.

See price and availability on AirbnbDiscover the studio
  • The studio in daylight: a double bed, a rust-coloured sofa and a round dining table beneath two tall arched windows.
  • Double bed with terracotta patterned bedding, a small bedside lamp and an open slatted wooden wardrobe with hangers.
  • Round dining table set for three by an arched window, with the double bed and a slatted wooden wardrobe beyond.
  • The studio with the sofa bed unfolded on the parquet floor beside the double bed and dining table.
  • White kitchen with a ceramic hob, oven, sink and granite worktop beside an arched window.
  • White-tiled bathtub with a handheld shower on a rail and a soft pink shower curtain.
  • Wall-mounted washbasin beneath an illuminated mirror cabinet in the tiled bathroom.
  • Stacked washing machine and dryer at the end of the tiled bathroom, beside the bathtub and toilet.

The studio at a glance

1 / 8

Availability, prices and booking on Airbnb.

Honestly

When Bright Studio fits,
and when it doesn’t.

A good fit if

  • You are one, two or three guests: there is a 160 × 200 cm bed and a sofa bed.
  • You want to explore the Old Town on foot.
  • You like to cook some meals yourself: the studio has its own kitchen.
  • You stay a while or travel light: there is a washer/dryer.
  • You need to work: there is a workspace and fast Wi-Fi.

Look elsewhere if

  • You are more than three people.
  • You need air conditioning: there is only a fan for warm days.
  • You want a separate bedroom: the studio is one open room.
  • You arrive by car: there is no private parking.
  • Your trip is all about Messe Basel: staying near the Messe or in Kleinbasel is more practical.

Questions & answers

In the Old Town: the main sights are within walking distance. Kleinbasel suits summer evenings by the river, the area near Basel SBB suits early trains, and the area near Messe Basel suits fairs.

Near Messe Basel or elsewhere in Kleinbasel, on the right bank of the Rhine. The area around the exhibition centre is quieter outside fair dates and further from the Old Town sights.

If you have early trains or plan day trips by rail. The area has less historic atmosphere, and the Old Town is a tram ride or a walk away.

Plan the rest

Then, what to do
once you’re here.

What to do in Basel Basel in two days Getting around without a car

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